Elsie Lou Shepard Freeman, age 70, of Ellerbe, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sept. 20, 2026.
Elsie was born Oct. 19, 1955 in Troy, to the late Elcie Allan and Lucille Lockhart Shepard.
While growing up in Ellerbe, Elsie's early life consisted of tap dancing, Girls In Action (GAs - Baptist Church Group), riding ponies and baking oatmeal cookies for her mom, dad and baby brothers to enjoy. Elsie also loved making Christmas candies and cookies for the holidays.
Elsie's first job was grading peaches at Dewitt Pack House. All workers were supposed to be 14 but Elsie was 12. It was at this establishment where she was first seen by the love of her life, Lee Freeman. After many stops on his brother Johnnie's produce truck, Lee started talking with Elsie and although five years her senior, he knew he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life.
Lee and Elsie waited for her to graduate from Richmond Senior High (class of 1974). They were married June 23, 1974. The newlyweds moved to Raleigh where Elsie worked for CP&L for 26 years.
Elsie also worked tirelessly and passionately with veterans organizations, where she was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary and was highly active throughout her entire life. Elsie worked alongside other volunteers collecting items to send and then mailing them soldiers in Iraq, Toys for Tots, Belk's Charity Days sales (Elsie raised $8,000 for the Marine Corps), Red Cross blood drives and so many more that benefited from her years of volunteer service.
Elsie also had a wonderful humorous side along with her unconditional love, strength of spirit, and her unwavering generosity that could be seen in her wide range of volunteer activities.
After moving back to Ellerbe, Elsie also served her community as a town commissioner for several years. Elsie was known for her strong will, unwavering determination and the love and support she had for the Ellerbe community.
Elsie also enjoyed music concerts with Lee and friends, and she had a wide range of musical genres and artists she loved, including Alabama, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, The Eagles and Elvis, just to name a few.
Elsie was predeceased by her parents.
Left to carry on and cherish her memory is her devoted and loving husband of 52 years, Lee. Elsie is also survived by her brothers, Jerry Shepard and Jeff (Joyce) Shepard of Ellerbe; nephews, Sam Shepard and Jeffrey (Roxanne) Shepard; and niece, Felicia (Shannon) Morgan; as well as several great-nephews and great-nieces.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026 at Carter Funeral Home-Ellerbe from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Ellerbe at 1 p.m., officiated by Dr. James Brown. Interment will be at Ellerbe Town Cemetery immediately after.
While our hearts morn her loss, we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Ellerbe, 2116 Main St., P.O. Box 8, Ellerbe, NC 28338.
Online condolences can be made at carterfuneral.net.
